History

During the 14th century, when England was at war with France, a period often referred to as the “Hundred Years War”, England’s king was Edward III. It was he who decided to form an elite body of knights and noblemen to preserve the principles of knighthood, chivalry and honour. He looked back into English legend and decided to call this elite corps “The Knights Of The Round Table”, emulating the stories of the legendary King Arthur and his knights.This order was to be based at Windsor castle, probably the greatest castle in all England, in a purpose built hall occupying an area now an open quadrangle in the centre of the castle.The hall was vast in size and housed a ‘segmented’ round table, (one built of connecting pieces), and in order that it could be extended as more knights were installed into the order.The order was under command of his eldest son, Edward the ‘Black’ Prince of Wales. It did not flourish as was desired though and became replaced with the ‘Order of The Garter’ still in operation today.Some of its members however continued to meet and keep alive the tradition. It was some of their descendants who, in the 18th century, formed a new order as the “Knights Of The Round Table”, which still flourishes today and is based in London.

One of its members was a Mr Frederick Glasscock, a wealthy industrialist who owned and ran a firm that manufactured custard powder. It was his desire to bring the ‘Order’ in to a more inclusive era and make it more accessible to others. This he managed to do and in 1927 he founded the present order and had it housed in a purpose built hall in Tintagel In north Cornwall called King Arthur’s Halls. It should be noted that it was rare for an order to be so housed as many were ‘journeying’ orders who met at various gentlemen’ s clubs in the London area.The ‘Halls’ once completed drew people from far and near and is still today the home of the ‘Order’. The ‘Halls’ are open to the public and attract many visitors every year who come to see not only the fine building but also the incredible stained glass windows which tell story of King Arthur and his Knights.

Today’s ‘Order’ (or Fellowship as it is more generally now known) still functions with the same ideals as the 14th century original; the preservation of chivalry, knighthood, gallantry and virtue. Now open to both men and women the ‘Order’ meets regularly for its annual formal dinner at the ‘Halls’ each June and now also includes in its activities the furtherance on studying the legends of Arthur and the Grail, plus its attendant subjects and some would say even more importantly, the ‘Order’ raises money for the “Acorn’s Children’s Hospice” which provides help and relief for children with life threatening illnesses and their families. The ‘Order’ also holds garden parties, cheese and wine evenings, library visits, historical displays (Particularly in Holland) and historical visits for its members.The ‘Order’ has chapters in many countries of the world including Holland, America, Australia, Sweden, Bulgaria and even Japan. It is open to all who uphold its principles of knightly virtue and any can approach to join. Each country represented is governed by its appointed ‘Chapter Knight’ and each Chapter operates together with the ‘Central Chapter’ or ‘Mother Chapter’ based in England.